A Semi-Empirical Pressure Drop Model: Part II—Multi-Element Pleated Filter Banks

Abstract

Multi-element pleated filter banks (MEPFBs) combine numerous removable pleated filters into a single housing to increase the available media area, while operating at a reduced pressure drop. A predictive resistance model was developed through the use of fundamental fluid dynamic equations and empirical data to gain a working knowledge of the design parameters and their contribution to the initial resistance of these filtration systems. The model was shown to accurately replicate 750 experimental pressure drop versus face velocity data points spanning thirty custom-made MEPFBs of various filter element counts, element widths, element depths, pleat counts, and media types. MEPFBs were evaluated using the pressure drop model to determine the limiting resistance terms for a given design as well as methods to optimize energy consumption and increase the available media area of a filtration unit.